| | TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A lawyer for Peter Warrick, Florida
State's suspended star receiver, hopes to get a felony charge
against his client resolved quickly so he can again play with the
top-ranked Seminoles.
Warrick, 22, teammate Laveranues Coles, 21, and 19-year-old
Dillard's department store clerk Rachel Myrtil were charged with
grand theft Thursday. The clerk was accused of selling the two
players $412.38 worth of clothing for only $21.40.
A fourth person, Shedrick Jermaine Rhodes, 23, who is not a
player, was arrested on a lesser charge of petty theft for
allegedly buying $82 worth of clothing from Myrtil for $10.70. That
closes the case and no further arrests are expected, police
spokesman Scott Hunt said Friday.
Defense lawyer John Kenny said Friday it was standard procedure
to have cases delayed because that normally works in a defendant's
favor, but Warrick's situation is different.
"In this case, Peter cannot afford to take too long," Kenny
said. "He has more interest in saying, 'Let's get it done.' "
Warrick was a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, but his
arrest might have dashed those hopes.
His return, however, would help Florida State's push for a
second national championship and his chances to impress NFL teams.
Although expected to be a first-round choice last year, Warrick
passed up the NFL draft and returned for his senior season, seeking
redemption for a poor performance and loss to Tennessee in the
national championship Fiesta Bowl.
Coles was removed from the team because he already was on
probation for past legal and academic difficulties. Warrick was
suspended indefinitely under a school policy that prohibits
athletes charged with felonies from playing until the charges are
resolved.
One way to do that would be to plead guilty or no contest. First
offenders normally are placed on probation, assistant state
attorney Warren Goodman said.
Another option would be to try and have the charge reduced to a
misdemeanor. Rhodes, whom Kenny said he understands is Warrick's
cousin, was charged with a misdemeanor because he allegedly took
less than $300 worth of merchandise.
Neither Warrick nor Coles was alleged to have taken more than
$300 in clothing individually, but each was charged with a felony
because they made their purchases of $244.38 and $168 together,
with Coles paying for each. Rhodes was with the other two but made
his purchase separately, Hunt said.
Kenny said he had spoken with prosecutors but they discussed
nothing of substance and he still had not seen the state's
evidence.
Warrick is set for a first court appearance Monday, but Kenny
said neither he nor his client would be there because he has filed
a written notice of appearance. Normally, it then would be at least
six weeks before a trial date.
"We all hope to resolve this before then," Kenny said.
So do many Florida State fans and officials who were stunned by
the severity of the charges.
"The door certainly is open for Peter to return," athletic
director Dave Hart said. In anticipation of that, Warrick will be
allowed to practice with the team while suspended.
"Talent alone obviously does not make you immune to
accountability," Hart said. "Sometimes this is learned in very
tough circumstances."
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